Wintjiri Wiṟu light and sound experience

Wintjiri Wiṟu, which suggests a ‘beautiful view out to the horizon’ in the local Aṉangu language, is a fully immersive light and sound experience in Australia’s red centre on Yankunytjatjara Pitjantjatjara land. Wintjiri Wiṟu shares the Mala story from Kalṯukatjara to Uluṟu, this story is Aṉangu Tjukurpa. Tjukurpa has many complex meanings and is a philosophy that links Aṉangu to the environment and ancestors.

Wintjiri Wiṟu viewing platform, walkways, facilities, and drone infrastructure is located in the dunes with views over the desert landscape. The location and delivery of Wintjiri Wiṟu was developed in consultation with the Aṉangu – the Traditional Owners of the land on which the project is being created.

Our challenge, with project partners Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia and RAMUS Media Architecture Studio, was to design structural and civil components of the Wintijiri Wiṟu facilities that touch lightly on the fragile desert dune landscape and environmentally sensitive skink habitat. Key to the success of this important project was the ongoing consultation and collaboration with our project partners.

To reduce disturbance from soil investigation and the impact of footings, our structural team implemented a proprietary micro pile system.

The micro pile system removed the need to excavate and place concrete piles which require a greater number of machinery movements on the dunes and would have disturbed the dunes’ internal landscape and the flora and fauna of the area.

Our civil design team were responsible for the road and infrastructure design, including ecological, visual aesthetics, accessibility, and technical aspects.

The alignment process had to consider the endangered skink habitat and safe access for tourist buses before the most appropriate route could be selected and the main access road and intersection could be designed.

To minimise the impact on the skink colonies, the team examined the mapped locations of the skink colonies and eliminated any potential paths that would impact the habitat. From the remaining options, the team identified which routes could provide safe access to the site for tour bus operators.

The road and intersection geometry were then taken to service the site, with consideration to minimise the visual impacts of the access route, and not spoil the spectacular surrounding landscape. The team also provided advice on pavement design, considering the availability of local materials, and drainage network design to manage stormwater runoff.

Through collaboration with our partners and key community stakeholders, this project delivered long-term benefit for the Aṉangu and the broader Central Australia community.

Wintjiri Wiṟu is a facility that sits lightly on the unique and valuable landscape and habitats of Central Australia, keeping them safe for generations to come.

The facility also supports the continued economic development of the region.

As custodians of the land, Aṉangu hold the Mala story from Kaltukatjara to Uluṟu. To share their story, RAMUS designed and produced an artistic platform using drones, light and sound to create an immersive storytelling experience.